Alexis Ohanian, the entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Reddit, has taken a bold step into the world of elite women’s football with a £20 million investment in Chelsea Women. The deal, which gives him between 8 and 10 percent ownership, reflects a growing trend of high-profile investors recognizing the untapped commercial potential of the women’s game.
The timing of the announcement added to the momentum: Chelsea had just won their third consecutive domestic title and defeated Manchester United 3–0 in the FA Cup final. With this, the team secured a domestic treble under newly appointed manager Sonia Bompastor, solidifying their place as a dominant force in European football.
Ohanian, who attended the final with his wife Serena Williams and their daughter Olympia, praised the club’s ambition and described the women’s squad as “the queens of global soccer.” His investment is not just symbolic—it is strategic. He has publicly stated his intention to help turn Chelsea Women into a billion-dollar franchise. That would mark uncharted territory for women’s clubs, which still trail far behind their male counterparts in terms of revenue, sponsorship, and valuation.
Yet the numbers suggest the tide is turning. Revenue in women’s sports has more than doubled, from $981 million in 2023 to an estimated $2.35 billion by 2025. A large portion of this growth is expected to come from increased media rights, more equitable sponsorship deals, and the success of high-profile tournaments like the Women’s World Cup and UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Chelsea Women are poised to benefit from this momentum. They already have strong infrastructure, a growing fanbase, and competitive success. With Ohanian’s backing—financially and from a branding standpoint—they could become the flagship franchise for the next era of women’s sport.
This move is part of a broader shift. More investors are waking up to the fact that supporting women’s sports is not just socially progressive—it is also smart business. As the valuation gap narrows, first-movers like Ohanian may end up capturing more than just goodwill. They could be building the future powerhouses of the global sports economy.